Cairns Chinatown Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cairns Chinatown Building |
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Cairns Chinatown Building
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| Location | 99 Grafton Street, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | c. 1892 - c. 1902 |
| Official name: 99 Grafton St, Former Cairns Chinatown, Ruth Women's Bookshop, Andrew's Barber Shop, The Bookshelf, Fishtail Silks | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 May 2005 |
| Reference no. | 602511 |
| Significant period | 1890s, 1900s (fabric) c. 1892-ongoing (historical commercial use) |
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The Cairns Chinatown Building is a special old building located at 99 Grafton Street in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. It was built a long time ago, between about 1892 and 1902. This building is very important because it's one of the last few buildings left from the original Cairns Chinatown.
Because of its history, the building was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 27 May 2005. This means it's officially recognized as a place with special historical value that should be protected.
Contents
What is a Chinatown?
Chinatowns are areas in cities where many people of Chinese heritage lived and worked. They often had unique shops, restaurants, and community spaces. In Australia, Chinatowns were important places, especially during the gold rush times. Many Chinese immigrants came to Australia looking for gold and new opportunities.
Cairns's Own Chinatown
Cairns, like many other Australian towns, had its own busy Chinatown. It was a lively area where Chinese immigrants could find familiar goods and support each other. These communities played a big part in building early Australian towns.
Why is This Building Important?
The Cairns Chinatown Building is a rare survivor from that time. Most of the other buildings from Cairns's original Chinatown are gone. This building helps us remember what that part of Cairns was like over a hundred years ago. It shows us a piece of the city's past and the lives of the people who lived there.
It reminds us of the rich history of Chinese communities in Australia. It also shows how different cultures helped shape the cities we know today.
Images for kids
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Chinatown in Cairns, 1886. It is not known if this building appears in this photo.
